Jill Malusky
Green Bank Observatory
The vast majority of people within the areas of Virginia and West Virginia collectively known as the National Radio Quiet Zone (NRQZ) can now receive high speed satellite internet service. The newly available service is the result of a nearly three-year collaborative engineering effort between the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), SpaceX and the NSF National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NSF NRAO) which operates the NSF Green Bank Observatory (NSF GBO) in West Virginia within the NRQZ.
“Working closely with SpaceX over the past three years has enabled NRAO and SpaceX to better understand each other’s systems and how to actively coexist in this part of the spectrum,” said Chris De Pree, the NSF NRAO Deputy Spectrum Manager.
Established in 1958, the NRQZ is an area where radio transmissions are coordinated due to federal restrictions that protect the scientific research and national security operations conducted by government facilities within the zone both of which rely on a “quiet” radio environment in order to detect faint signals. The National Security Agency also operates a facility within the NRQZ, the Sugar Grove Station in West Virginia.
Starting with a 2019 coordination agreement, scientists and engineers perform- ed multiple tests and analyses to determine the best way to maximize satellite internet service without hindering the missions within the NRQZ. Based on these results, SpaceX will begin a one-year assessment period to offer residential satellite internet service to 99.5% of residents within the NRQZ starting October 25.
“This collaboration will allow residents to access high-quality, high-speed internet, and also expand opportunities for improved communication, like those needed by emergency services and first responders,” said Jim Jackson, the NSF Green Bank Observatory Director.
As residents receive the internet service during the assessment period, scientists and engineers will monitor for interference issues and work to resolve them without interrupting internet service.
Satellite internet requires a satellite dish. The satellite dish must face south. Neighbors south of the satellite dish will be blasted with wifi and GPS. Satellite dishes emit GPS. Modems emit wifi. Satellite wifi has stronger power density than fiber optic wifi.